Classy London cocktail bar set to open on Newcastle’s Grey Street

An award-winning cocktail bar is bidding to move into the heart of Newcastle.

Plans have emerged for the Cocktail Club to open its first North East venue on Grey Street in the city centre.

The brand, which has a number of bars across London and also operates in cities including Bristol and Cardiff, wants to take over a disused section of the building occupied by the Zizzi restaurant on the famous Georgian thoroughfare.

The basement of the grade II listed site was once used by the Italian restaurant but has lain empty for around five years.

Cocktail Club describes itself on its website as “one of London’s most prestigious bar experiences”, boasting a “world-class drinks menu” and awards from the likes of Time Out and Design My Night.

In a planning application lodged with Newcastle City Council, the firm said that bringing the disused basement back into use would have “considerable benefits” for Grey Street.

They added: “By reintroducing a commercial use to the basement level, there will be tangible improvements to the vitality of the area and this part of the listed building will be re-opened for public access, allowing greater appreciation of this heritage asset for all.

“No external alterations are proposed; therefore, the exterior of the listed building and the conservation area will remain unaffected. In line with national and local policy, the proposed change of use will preserve the significance of the heritage assets with no arising harm.”

If given the green light by the council, the new bar could provide 25 new jobs.

It is proposed that the opening hours of the Cocktail Club would be 10am to 2am every day.

The application adds: “From an amenity perspective, the nature of the change in use is not wholesale or drastic, with the existing lawful use allowing for licensed restaurant operations.

“Furthermore, the wider building and surrounding properties are commercial in use and therefore not sensitive to increases in noise levels. The operation will be well managed, alongside the licensing regime, to ensure no amenity impacts arise to the surrounding area.”